Mandatory recycling of electronics begins

It's no longer legal for households or businesses to throw out old computers or TVs with the garbage. Starting today, all "covered" electronic devices and components can't go into a landfill. They must go instead to a state-certified recycling facility.

The authority doesn't accept for recycling: light bulbs, lamps, home appliances like washers, refrigerators or air conditioners, or gas-powered lawn equipment.

For information, go to thewasteauthority.com or call 570-643-6100.

Information about the Covered Device Recycling Act also is available at depweb.state.pa.us

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It's no longer legal for households or businesses to throw out old computers or TVs with the garbage.

Starting today, all "covered" electronic devices and components can't go into a landfill. They must go instead to a state-certified recycling facility.

The Monroe County Municipal Waste Management Authority — which started collecting discarded electronics for recycling for free in July 2011 — is handling that task in Monroe County from its Blakeslee facility in New Ventures Industrial Park, just off Interstate 80.

"They don't necessarily have to come here," said Jim Lambert, the authority's executive director. "They can check with their municipalities."

Several Monroe County municipalities have special electronics collection days or regular drop-off times.

The authority will make personal visits to businesses with large volumes of used computers, printers and cellphones and explain how to package them for recycling. The agency recently picked up old electronics at Notre Dame High School, where school officials invited parents and other community members to add to the recycling effort.

Small-volume users are asked to drop off items at scheduled local collections or make arrangements to bring them to the waste authority during weekday business hours.

The waste authority groups the screens, hard drives and other components by category, shrink wraps them and arranges for them to be shipped to a certified electronics recycling company in upstate New York.

Maven Technologies recycles the metals and components that can be safely reused, and properly disposes of mercury, lead and other dangerous substances found in old televisions screens and other items.

"Only certain components of it can be recycled," Lambert said. "It's removing the bad things from people's homes and keeping it out of the landfills."

The waste authority has processed 377,000 pounds of electronics for recycling since mid 2011.

"Because we've been out there a while, we don't expect a big increase" with the new law, Lambert said.

Manufacturers of covered electronics sold in Pennsylvania were required a year ago to register device brands with the state Department of Environmental Protection and offer recycling collections at no cost to consumers. Retailers are required to tell customers how and where to recycle covered electronics.

ESSA Bank & Trust has been recycling computer equipment for years and doesn't expect any problems complying with the new requirement.

"We do this anyway," said ESSA President Gary Olson. "Most of the time we give them away to nonprofits."